Les patates (1969)

Director:

Claude Autant-Lara

Writers:

Jean Aurenche, Claude Autant-Lara,

Stars:

Pierre Perret, Henri Virlojeux, Bérangère Dautun

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Pierre Perret	...	Clovis Parizel
Henri Virlojeux	...	Parizel père
Bérangère Dautun	...	Mathilde
Christine Aurel	...	La voyageuse
Pascale Roberts	...	Fifine
Jacques Balutin	...	P'tit Louis
Gérard Buhr	...	Serge
Marc Eyraud	...	Maurice
René Havard	...	Lulu
Lucien Hubert	...	Guignard
Bernard La Jarrige	...	Le maire de Bourg-Fidèle (as Bernard Lajarrige)
Hubert de Lapparent	...	Bayochet
Jeanne Allard	...	Paulette
Rufus	...	Larobesse
Aline Blome	...	La femme du retraité

Storyline

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Plot Keywords:

food in title | hunger | potato | german occupation | colorado beetle | 

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Genres:

Comedy | Drama

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Details

Country:

France

Language:

French

Release Date:

22 November 1969 (France)

Also Known As:

Potatoes

Company Credits

Production Co:

S.O.P.A.C., Société Nouvelle des Établissements Gaumont (SNEG)

Technical Specs

Runtime:

100 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color (Eastmancolor)

User Reviews

A strange, satirical war drama.

"Les patates" from Claude Autant-Lara is a curious little movie, blending comedy and drama in a historical context.

The story takes place during World War 2, in Occupied France. Clovis (Pierre Perret, a very famous French comedic singer in his convincing screen debut) is trying desperately to cultivate potatoes, despite the restrictions decided by the Nazis, and the jealousy of his neighborhood. Soon, his little garden becomes an obsession, which leads to marital crisis, and beyond...

The film is clearly not as moving and ambitious as Autant-Lara previous work (such as his masterpiece, "La traversée de Paris") but there are many funny parts, and good performances all along.

Overall, a decent satire of Occupied France, with a good balance between comedy and drama.